Cheese Drainer With Rotating Perforated Receptacle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drip devices for draining whey, such as those used for making cottage cheese, are difficult to handle due to the need for elastic deformation of flexible tongues, making the transition between positions cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A drip device design featuring an outer container with lateral recesses that accommodate external protrusions of a perforated inner receptacle, allowing easy transition between positions by rotating the receptacle, and incorporating gripping members for easy handling and minimizing space to retain whey.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If flexible tongues are used to form external lateral protrusions, then the protrusions can be formed, but the transition between positions requires elastic deformation making handling difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling easeVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two main parts: an outer container and an inner receptacle that can be separated. The inner receptacle can be removed from the outer container, allowing independent handling of each component without requiring elastic deformation of flexible tongues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the protrusions flexible to enable position transition, the invention inverts the approach by making the entire inner receptacle removable. This eliminates the need for flexible tongues and elastic deformation, simplifying the handling mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the inner receptacle is held in position by support members, then stability is achieved, but the protrusions may interfere with easy removal and repositioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidremoval ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support members are designed with features that guide the protrusions into their correct positions during insertion. This preliminary guiding action ensures proper positioning and stability once the inner receptacle is in place, while still allowing easy removal by lifting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support members act as intermediaries between the protrusions and the outer container. They provide stable positioning during operation but do not create interference during removal, as the protrusions can be easily lifted out of the support members' engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2387877B1Device for draining a cheese drainer into a container

Publication Date: 2014.05.07 SEB SA

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AI summary

The device has a perforated inner receptacle (2) including lateral external protuberances (22) laid on support elements (16) of an outer container (1) when the receptacle occupies a top position of the device. The outer container supports the receptacle in a bottom position and in the top position. The outer container has an upper opening (17) handling lateral reinforcements (12) inside the outer container between the support elements. The reinforcements are provided for partially housing the protuberances when the receptacle occupies the bottom position.